FIFA's TV Revenue Disparity Fuels Perceived Bias Toward America

FIFA’s 2025 television‑rights income showed a stark split: North America and the Caribbean contributed $15.2 million, while South America and Central America added $11.3 million. By contrast, Asia and North Africa reported only $5.2 million, and the rest of the world together generated just $6.4 million. In total, the American continents supplied $26.5 million of the roughly $32.9 million FIFA earned from broadcast fees that year, a share that underpins the organisation’s push to maximise revenue from the region.

The governing body’s focus on the American market is reflected in major event decisions: the Club World Cup was staged in the United States, and the 2026 World Cup will be hosted across Canada, Mexico and the United States, projected to bring close to $10 billion in income. Critics argue that this financial dependence influences on‑field rulings. They cite VAR interventions that have favoured South American teams such as Brazil and Argentina, while penalising a Swiss player for simulation and allowing harsher play from Uruguay. The disparity in broadcast earnings, they contend, raises questions about the impartiality of officiating.

Analysts note that half of FIFA’s overall $2.126 billion revenue in 2025 came from television rights, underscoring the sport’s commercial priorities. The concentration of income in the Americas creates a powerful incentive for the organisation to protect its most lucrative audience, shaping both tournament locations and, potentially, refereeing outcomes.